Army Redeploys Generals In Fresh Shake-Up

The Nigerian Army has launched another major realignment of its senior command structure.

The new redeployment involves movement of generals across frontline operations, formations, training institutions and strategic departments.

Also, a new commander was appointed to lead the military’s campaign against insurgents in the North-East.

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At the centre of the latest changes is Major General IA Ajose, who has been transferred from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to take charge of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI.

The operation is one of the Army’s most critical operational theatres.

Ajose’s appointment places him at the head of the command responsible for military operations against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The redeployment was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and adjust its leadership structure to the country’s changing security environment, the army said.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the latest exercise was designed to place the appropriate “leadership, experience and expertise” in critical operational and strategic positions.

Ajose replaces Major General AE Abubakar, who has been moved out of Operation HADIN KAI to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.

There, he would serve as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.

The changes extend beyond the North-East, with the Army also moving senior officers between command, training, civil-military, logistics, financial and administrative establishments.

Major General AM Alechenu is moving from the Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha leaves the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation for the Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.

Major General AM Umar has been appointed Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, replacing Major General UM Alkali, who is moving from the college to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

Major General GS Muhammed is also leaving the Office of the National Security Adviser for the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.

His successor at the Military Pension Board will be Major General JE Osifo, who moves from the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation to become Chairman of the board.

The latest postings also affect the Army’s logistics structure, with Major General IE Ekpenyong moving to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director of Engineering Services.

At the brigadier general level, Brigadier General AA Bello is moving from 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.

Brigadier General MS Adamu has been appointed Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade after leaving the Nigerian Army Women Command, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to command 27 Task Force Brigade.

Brigadier General I Sule is also leaving the Directorate of Recruitment Management for 6 Division Garrison as Commander.

The reshuffle further moves Brigadier General E Azenda from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to command 2 Division Garrison, with Brigadier General AS Bugaje taking over at the simulation centre as Director of Administration.

Shaibu charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence placed in them through “exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.”

He also directed them to remain focused on the Army’s constitutional responsibilities of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The latest redeployment is coming less than a year after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a sweeping change in the country’s military leadership, appointing Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff in October 2025.

Shaibu assumed office on November 5, 2025, as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, succeeding Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who was elevated to Chief of Defence Staff.

The change at the top of the Army coincided with mounting pressure on the military to improve its response to multiple security theatres.

The North-East remained the centre of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency, while banditry and kidnapping expanded across parts of the North-West and North-Central, including areas previously considered less exposed to sustained terrorist activity.

Shaibu’s arrival was followed by an immediate emphasis on renewed offensive operations.

During his first operational visit to Borno in November 2025, the Army chief told troops that the campaign against terrorists had to be conducted differently and declared that failure was not an option.

He said new platforms and combat enablers had been provided to support the renewed offensive.

The subsequent months brought further evidence of the pressure on the Army’s existing command arrangements.